Sermon on Colossians 3:1-3:17
by David Owens, from February 7, 2010

Underpants First, Then Trousers

(Sermon handout)

Sermon on Colossians 2:6-2:23
by Will Briggs, from January 31, 2010

Paul continues his exhortation to the church in Colossae to continue to live in Jesus, founded and built in him.

This means, in particular, defending themselves against a religious attitude hollow philosophy and legalistic traditions.

This religiosity still exists today in a more secular guise and is part of the Western culture which we are to resist.

We rest not on our own ability but on faith in Jesus – that is not religion, but a life of trust.

Josh is congratulated by Diocesan Director of
Ministry, Paul Cavanough

A significant moment this weekend as Connections and the Anglican Parish of Burnie enter a new season.  On Friday January 29th our former rector, Warwick Cuthbertson, was inducted as the new rector of the Parish of Holy Trinity Launceston.  The Parish of Burnie, of which Connections is a part, now begins a process of review, consultation, towards being able to nominate a new rector for the congregations here.

This provides us with a fantastic opportunity to consider all that we are and all that we do in the light of God’s purposes for us.  We continue with the task of growing and showing what it means to have a restored life through trusting Jesus.  But through this season we can ensure that not just our message, but our forms and structures and arrangements are all working well – towards a gospel end in a gospel way.

Warden Brian Heazlewood reads out the license to commission Will on Sunday

Throughout the interim process our  Connections Minister, Will Briggs, will be acting as locum tenens Priest-in-Charge of the Parish and leading the team that guides the review process.  Will will remain Connections Minister but will be assisted during this time by Joshua Skeat who has been licensed by the Bishop as a part-time lay minister for the congregation.  Joshua is currently undertaking theological study via distance education and is being considered for ordination in the Diocese of Tasmania.

Commissioning prayer during church
in the Surf Club

The appointment of Joshua is particularly exciting as he is the first in the state to be accepted for training as part of the emerging ministries initiative The Imagine Project.  His formation will be shaped by a framework for pioneer ministries that integrates formal study with practical on-the-ground ministry.

Please be praying for the Parish of Burnie and the Connections congregation through what is proving to be an exciting 2010.

This was recently sent to our prayer email list

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thankyou for your prayer support. For ongoing news and information please visit our website at http://burnieanglican.org.au/connections. You can also subscribe to our facebook page (http://bit.ly/8FndMd) or our twitter feed (http://www.twitter.com/connectionstas)

There is much to be thankful for this Summer, in what has been a season of growth and change, as we prepare for what is to come in 2010. We have seen lives impacted and changed by the gospel, and have been blessed to welcome new members to the body of Christ over the Summer. Our time in the park has provided us with the opportunity to be involved in our community in a very visible way, culminating in our participation in the recent Foreshore Fiesta (see here http://bit.ly/5dQvtR).

More specifically, we would appreciate prayer for…

1) At the end of February our time in ANZAC park will come to a close. As yet we do not have a venue for 2010 as our previous venue is no longer available to us (see here http://bit.ly/b9w4aA). We have seen God’s provision before, and know that He is in control. Please pray for us as we seek His direction for our church, that a venue for 2010 would open up for us. Also pray as we draw up concept plans for a permanent facility through which we can serve the local community.

2) As indicated in December, Will has begun his position as Locum tenens for the Parish of Burnie (of which we are a part), and Joshua Skeat has been appointed as a stipended Assistant Lay Minister for the Connections congregation. This will be a time of transition and change for both the wider Parish and Connections. Please pray for Will, as he balances the roles of Locum tenens and responsibility for the Connections congregations and Joshua as he begins his role at Connections and Theological studies during this time.

3) We are thankful for the opportunities that being in the park has provided us in impacting our community, it is not uncommon for people to stop and question us about what we are doing in the park. This has provided many conversation starters. We have also been blessed with new Christians this summer. Please pray for continued impact in our community and specifically for for the newcomers as we begin to nurture and disciple them.

4) Please continue to pray for our search for a youth minister. We have continued to advertise the position (see http://burnieanglican.org.au/connections/youth)

5) Please pray for our small group ministry, specifically for our group of dedicated leaders as they continue to build relationships and foster community.

Blessings,

Will and Joshua

Our evening series continues this Sunday as we encourage women to live substantial lives for and with Jesus.

In two weeks time, on February 14, we will hold the third in the series – an evening all about relationships.  It’s a time for anyone who is in a relationship, has been in a relationship, or is planning to be in one.  There will be encouragement and challenge for marriages and close relationships to be based on the life-giving purposes of God.

The evening will begin at 7:30pm at the Somerset Surf Lifesaving Club.

You can download a flyer: here

Sermon on Romans 13 (Australia Day)
By Will Briggs, from January 24, 2010

How do we find our place as church in the life of our country?  Paul talks about the secular authorities in Romans 13 beginning with a broad overview of the authority God gives to governing authorities.  He exhorts God’s people to go beyond the merely legal to the morally good, the divine imperative of love.  And finally he has an impassioned plea for the church to be the church – to “wake up” and to live lives “in the daylight.”  God has made us a new community, we are exhorted to live like it.  In this sense our society and our country needs us to be us.